Best (cheap) bib shorts for long rides?

[ChickenWire]

Been spending the last couple of months trying to spend more time on my indoor trainer, and aiming for 6-8 hours a week. I’ve been using some cheap decathlon bib shorts which are just rubbish and very uncomfortable. Have some Rapha Pro Team Training bibs for outdoor nice rides, but don’t really wan to spend that sort of money for my daily indoor grind.

Looking to get 2-3 pairs of bib shorts that need to cope with 2-3 hour rides.

Has anyone found the holy grail of relatively inexpensive bib shorts that are supremely comfortable for long hours in the saddle? Have been looking on AliExpress for some gems but it’s a bit of a minefield.

All help gratefully received!

CW

[alan-87]

I can recommend the bib shorts from YKYWBIKE Store on AliExpress.

Used them all winter on zwift and perfectly comfortable and quality seems fine.

[oddman]

Not going to undercut Ali Epxpress but I found Wiggle's own brand, DHB, bib shorts, especially the Aeron slightly premium ones, very good doing everything from regular commuting to 100 mile days. I'd assumed Wiggle were no more but seems not

[okgo]

Just keep buying nicer outdoor ones and then slowly you relegate all of the slightly less nice ones to turbo use. Thats what I’ve always done.

[deeen]

I get on well with Endura's cheaper range, but I think (like shoes) it may be a case of different brands suiting different people,

[mikecassie]

I now use decent shorts for indoor rides, not using the old well worn pairs. I find indoors I spend more time sitting down and using good shorts makes the indoor training sessions more bearable. Outdoors I stand up more often, move about more which isn't as bad on my sit bones area.
By good I mean Assos Equipe R shorts or similar, not sure what others call good. I've tried Le Col indoor shorts, hate the chamois on them and I tried a pair of Castelli indoor shorts, I can't hate the chamois in them because it barely exists!

[lufbramatt]

Cheap ones can be comfortable but they don’t last. Mid range such as Lusso around £90-100 last much longer so better value overall.

My lbs bought up a load of stock of previous years Assos bibs and is jobbing them out for £120, lovely shorts.

[DrugHunter]

Rapha Core in the sale are normally about £80 per pair. There is always a sale. The shorts are excellent and I have four pairs. I also have. Castelli, Maap and club Le Col and Kalas. All good, but the Rapha Core are standout for cost and performance.

[BunkMoreland]

okgo said:

Just keep buying nicer outdoor ones and then slowly you relegate all of the slightly less nice ones to turbo use. Thats what I ve always done.

I dont ride the turbo very often, but current shorts are AGU Rabobank ones

[donaircooleone]

Quite like the Van Rysell endurance shirts from Decathlon.

[gmackay2]

second recommendation for DHB shorts, I really rate them.
Madison, Altura and Lusso are also good.

[Discendo Discimus]

Van Rysel Endurance Bibs are my favourite so far when considering budget. I have some fancier ones but honestly reach for the VR ones when going for a 100km + ride.
Siroko stuff is also great and you can normally get a good deal on Bikeinn.

[_Rodders_]

oddman said:

Not going to undercut Ali Epxpress but I found Wiggle's own brand, DHB, bib shorts, especially the Aeron slightly premium ones, very good doing everything from regular commuting to 100 mile days. I'd assumed Wiggle were no more but seems not

Few people are going to have tried enough different brands to give an informed opinion but I can vouch for DHB stuff. Good quality at a reasonable price.

[Smitters]

I've found the Carnac bibs that PlanetX sell very comfy. Done 1000's on kms in them on the turbo, and long days out and about. Obviously chamois fit is very personal, but I do find that a thinner pad actually works better for me. They seem to be over £30 now, whereas I scored two for £29.99. I'll probably try some Van Rysel ones next as the leg pocket is a useful thing.

[boyse7en]

oddman said:

Not going to undercut Ali Epxpress but I found Wiggle's own brand, DHB, bib shorts, especially the Aeron slightly premium ones, very good doing everything from regular commuting to 100 mile days. I'd assumed Wiggle were no more but seems not

I've had DHB shorts for years, and found them good, but I've recently moved on to Rivelo bibs and they are even better. They are comfortable, supportive and wash well with going baggy/misshapen/bobbly.
About £50 from Sportpursuit

[mooseracer]

boyse7en said:

I've had DHB shorts for years, and found them good, but I've recently moved on to Rivelo bibs and they are even better. They are comfortable, supportive and wash well with going baggy/misshapen/bobbly.
About £50 from Sportpursuit

Yes Rivelo are a good shout - I bought a pair of their winter tights on recommendation and for the price they are just fine for 3-4 hour rides.

[oddman]

mooseracer said:

boyse7en said:

I've had DHB shorts for years, and found them good, but I've recently moved on to Rivelo bibs and they are even better. They are comfortable, supportive and wash well with going baggy/misshapen/bobbly.
About £50 from Sportpursuit

Yes Rivelo are a good shout - I bought a pair of their winter tights on recommendation and for the price they are just fine for 3-4 hour rides.

Good to hear, though it may contribute to my Sportpursuit habit

[Deefor62]

I’ve been using an old pair of Assos shorts that I’ve had for years. Cant use them on the road any more as they’ve faded to a miserable grey colour, and according to my Mrs are slightly transparent at the rear. They’re still super comfortable on the turbo, and I’ve no plans to change them until they finally fall apart at the seams. Other makes of shorts come and go, but the Assos ones keep going strong.

[johnpsanderson]

If i've understood the OP then you're after shorts for a long time on the turbo trainer?
Spending a lot of time on Zwift (not often 3 hour stints, but often over 1 hr and up to 2hrs) has been transformed by using chamois cream (Assos minty stuff; but equally i've found Sudocrem does the job well). The problem with the turbo I think is that a) you don't move around on the saddle as much as you would out on the road b) the sweat doesn't dry out as well as it would outside.

I've had no problems with Decathlon or dhb shorts using cream, and am now dabbling in Lidl cycling shorts - the pads seems fine, just the stitching seems to go quickly. But at £10 per pair of shorts, you still get decent value out of them!

[Freakuk]

I needed shorts for Zwift etc and Googled the best shorts for indoor riding and picked accordingly.